Empire Bike Short

Park City is known as a world class mountain biking destination, and it's here that Backcountry finds its headquarters. The endless Park City trail network is where we continually strive to hone our skill sets, and is also the main testing ground for the products that we sell. After years of riding some of the best products in the industry, we've decided to offer our own line of mountain bike apparel using the knowledge we've gained. We're happy to present the Empire Bike Short, a technical mountain bike short designed to improve your riding experience by offering exceptional comfort, mobility, and functionality.

One of the biggest gripes we have with mountain bike shorts is restricted freedom of movement. Mountain biking is all about shifting your weight correctly on the bike, and there's really no room for your apparel to hold you back. To address this concern, we've constructed the Empire Shorts out of a lightweight, 4-way stretch material, offering supreme comfort that won't hinder your movement on the bike. Durability is also a big concern, and the material on these shorts is highly abrasion-resistant to avoid damage from trail overgrowth or the occasional tumble. The gusseted crotch further adds to the Empire's durability, and we've also added a DWR treatment that encourages mud and water to shed away, rather than soaking through and causing discomfort. Other standout features include a secure double-snap waist closure, hook-and-loop adjustments for dialing in the perfect fit, laser cut ventilation holes for breathability, and silicone grippers on the back of the waistband to keep the shorts securely in place across rugged terrain.

Backcountry's flagship mountain biking shorts

4-way stretch construction for comfort and mobility

Abrasion-resistant materials hold up to the test of time

DWR-treatment sheds mud and water out on the trail

Zippered cargo pockets for tools, snacks, and essentials

Laser-cut ventilation holes keep you cool on warmer days

Silicone gripper on inside of waistband for a stay-put fit

Double-snap fly closure for additional security

Tech Specs

Material

88% nylon, 12% spandex

Fit

relaxed

Inseam

13in

Removable Liner

no

Pockets

2 zippered side pockets

Waist

double-snap fly, hook-and-loop waist adjustments

Venting

laser cut ventilation holes on inner thigh

Recommended Use

cross-country, enduro, trail

Manufacturer Warranty

limited lifetime

Size

Backcountry

Mountain Bike Apparel

Men's

S

M

L

XL

XXL

Chest

35 - 37.5in

(88.9 - 95.3cm)

37.5 - 40.5in

(95.3 - 102.9cm)

40.5 - 43.5in

(102.9 - 110.5cm)

43.5 - 46.5in

(110.5 - 118.1cm)

46.5 - 49in

(118.1 - 124.5cm)

Waist

29 - 31.5in

(73.7 - 80cm)

31.5 - 34.5in

(80 - 87.6cm)

34.5 - 37.5in

(87.6 - 95.3cm)

37.5 - 41.5in

(95.3 - 105.4cm)

41.5 - 45in

(105.4 - 114.3cm)

Hip

35 - 37.5in

(88.9 - 95.3cm)

37.5 - 40.5in

(95.3 - 102.9cm)

40.5 - 43.5in

(102.9 - 110.5cm)

43.5 - 46.5in

(110.5 - 118.1cm)

46.5 - 49in

(118.1 - 124.5cm)

Inseam

13in

(33cm)

Women's

XS

S

M

L

XL

Chest

31 - 32in

(78.7 - 81.3cm)

32 - 34in

(81.3 - 86.4cm)

34 - 36in

(86.4 - 91.4cm)

36 - 38in

(91.4 - 96.5cm)

38 - 40in

(96.5 - 101.6cm)

Waist

23 - 25in

(58.4 - 63.5cm)

25 - 27in

(63.5 - 68.6cm)

27 - 29.5in

(68.6 - 74.9cm)

29.5 - 32in

(74.9 - 81.3cm)

32 - 34.5in

(81.3 - 87.6cm)

Hip

33 - 35in

(83.8 - 88.9cm)

35 - 37in

(88.9 - 94cm)

37 - 39in

(94 - 99.1cm)

39.5 - 42in

(100.3 - 106.7cm)

42 - 45in

(106.7 - 114.3cm)

Inseam

9in

(22.9cm)

How to Measure:

For best results, take measurements over your underwear.

Chest:

Measure under your arms, around the fullest part of your chest.

Waist:

Measure around your natural waistline, keeping the tape a bit loose.

Hip:

Measure around the fullest part of your body at the top of your legs.

Inseam:

Using pants that fit well, measure the crotch seam to the bottom of the leg.

What do you think about this product?

View

>Rating:

January 16, 2020

Yo! So Ben asked answered my original question on July 16 about new colors for these shorts. He said in the spring. I’m eagerly waiting to dish all my money over to you for these shorts in new colors lol, any clue when they will be out?! 😀🙅🏻‍♂️ thank you!

Chris M.

Alicia

February 17, 2020

Hi Chris - Stoked you are ready for a new color! We will have Black replenishment and Dusty Olive (Green) that should be live on the site by the first week of March - please check back then!

>Rating:

September 28, 2019

Helpful Q&A! Thank you. I read these do not come with belt loops. If make these again (Gen 2), string request for belt loops too.
Thanks!

Devin S.

>Rating:

September 9, 2019

Waist band: do these shorts come with belt loops or is the only adjustment the velcro straps?

Wasatch Joel

Ben Rabinowitz

September 9, 2019

Hi Joel,
These shorts do not have belt loops, just the velcro adjusters.
Ben

>Rating:

August 18, 2019

Sizing. I’ve read several reviews that say these run small. Do you or will you offer XL?

Raymond N.

Alicia

August 20, 2019

Hi Raymond - we will be getting XL in February of next year!

>Rating:

July 20, 2019

Is there a way to tell if the reviews are written by real customers, or by Backcountry.com employees? I find a lot of the reviews on this site to be BS . ..

unrooted

Brooklynn

July 22, 2019

Hey there!
You should see the word gearhead under their name just like mine! If they aren't a gearhead working 1 on 1 with customers they should have a similar headshot picture like mine!

>Rating:

July 13, 2019

Do you think you guys will ever come out with different colors? These are the best mountain bike shorts ever!!

Chris M.

Ben Rabinowitz

July 16, 2019

Hey Chris!
Glad you love our shorts :) We for sure will be coming out with new colors next Spring... stay tuned!
Ben